System security of the grid improved as a result of new technology
Fingrid, the electricity transmission system operator in Finland, has introduced new intelligent technology at the Kangasala substation, intended to improve the stability of the power system. The total capital investments were approx. 12 million euros. The compensator taken into use for the first time in Finland will make the nation-wide electricity transmission grid more “intelligent” by improving its system security. Power oscillations always take place in a power system. These are caused by factors such as sudden tripping of generation facilities from the grid, or transmission line faults. The significance of various disturbance situations on the functioning of the Finnish power system varies as per the operating situation of the system. Power oscillations are very significant occurrences for example when great volumes of electricity are transmitted between Finland and Sweden. Now it is possible to dampen these power oscillations using new intelligent technology. Grid intelligence or the construction of an intelligent supergrid are very topical issues in European energy policy. The supergrid enables more comprehensive use of renewable energy sources and expansion of the electricity market. These factors add significantly to the need to transmit electricity in the nation-wide grid. “We Finns already have quite a supergrid, and we can be justly proud of our efficient and reliable power system. Fingrid will spend 1,600 million euros on the transmission grid in the coming years, and we constantly utilise state-of-the-art technology in our industry. The compensator of static reactive power commissioned at the Kangasala substation in early May will bring more intelligence to the grid, improve its system security, and promote the operating conditions of the electricity market,” said Fingrid’s President and CEO Jukka Ruusunen in Kangasala today. The term European supergrid is usually used when referring to a new electricity transmission grid which employs just direct current. Jukka Ruusunen considers it necessary to construct transmission connections based on both direct current and alternating current, side by side. The Finnish grid is reinforced continuously by utilising new technology applicable to the particular needs.“In practice, both direct current and alternating current are needed in a power system. Direct current is an excellent choice for example for long transmission distances, while alternating current features better fault resistance. Also in the connection of renewable energy sources to the grid, the best result is obtained by combining both technologies,” Ruusunen stated.
New transmission line from Ulvila to Kangasala brings electricity to Pirkanmaa from the west coast
“These projects were carried out so that electricity can be transmitted from the new Olkiluoto nuclear power unit to the Tampere region. The electricity transmission connections between the west coast and Pirkanmaa also had to be reinforced so that we can connect wind power and other types of new generation capacity to the grid in the future,” Jukka Ruusunen said.
Iron Lady needs to be renewed
The reinforcement of the Finnish grid will not finish with the Kangasala projects. The climate and energy strategy of the Government of Finland requires from Fingrid considerable strengthening of the transmission grid. Consequently, by 2018 Fingrid will use 100 to 200 million euros annually for upgrading the transmission grid and for reserve power. All in all, there are about 30 grid construction projects in progress this year in Finland.
One of the biggest projects in Häme in Central Finland is the renewal of the transmission line running from Hikiä in Hausjärvi to Forssa. The part of this line referred to as “Rautarouva” (Iron Lady) between Hikiä and Forssa is in a poor condition and needs renovation, because it was originally built at the end of the 1920s.
The planned transmission line will be located in Hausjärvi, Riihimäki, Janakkala, Loppi, Renko, Tammela and Forssa. The length of the renewed transmission line is about 75 kilometres. The environmental impact assessment for the project was completed last year.
In accordance with the wishes of the Regional Environment Centre of Häme, Fingrid will study the integration of its new transmission line project and transmission lines planned in the Riihimäki region. Fingrid intends to launch further planning concerning the final line route during the summer of 2009. The transmission line will be built after 2012 but before 2020.
Another topical project in Häme is the new Multisilta substation related to line arrangements in the Tampere region. The substation to be placed in an urban environment will be implemented as gas-insulated indoor switchgear well adapted to its surroundings. Three outgoing bays and one transformer field will be built within the substation for Tampereen Sähköverkko’s transformer. Work included in the main contract will commence by engineering in the spring of 2009, and the project will be ready by the end of 2010. The project will be carried out together with Tampereen Sähköverkko, and its total costs are approx. 3.3 million euros.
Further information:
Jukka Ruusunen, President & CEO, tel. +358 (0)40 593 8428
Kari Kuusela, Executive Vice President, tel. +358 (0)40 502 7333